Apparatus for mounting a mobile to a crib

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and assembly for aligning a mobile mounted to a crib. A mounting base includes upper and lower sections. When the base is mounted to the crib, the upper section extends above the top of the crib, and an externally threaded segment of the lower section extends through an aperture defined by slats of the crib. An intermediate element having both internal and external threaded sections is moveable along the segment to adjust alignment of the mounting base and alignment of the mobile attached to the mounting base. An internally threaded fastener is threadedly secured to the external threaded section of the intermediate element to secure the mounting base to the crib. Embodiments significantly improve crib safety by providing a securing mounting mechanism and also improve mobile appearance by providing a properly aligned mobile.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a mounting apparatus, andmore particularly, to a mounting apparatus that includes an adjustableintermediate element that permits a mobile to be attached to cribs ofvarious shapes and sizes while maintaining proper mobile alignment.

BACKGROUND

Hanging or suspending toys or mobiles above an infant's crib and thelike is well known. Referring to FIG. 1, for example, one known crib 10includes a top, top rail or top frame 11, a bottom, bottom rail orbottom frame 12, a plurality of slats 13 that extend between the topframe 11 and bottom frame 12, and a base 14 upon which an infant rests.In the illustrated exemplary crib 10, the slats 13 extend verticallybetween the top and bottom frames 11 and 12 and define apertures 16there between. The frames 11 and 12 and slats 13 define an interiorspace 17 and an exterior space 18. Referring to FIG. 2, a mobile 20 issuspended above a crib and includes a variety of toys or decorativeelements 21. The elements 21 can be different shapes, colors and/orsizes, and can be animals, cars and other entertaining elements thatcapture an infant's attention. The elements 21 can, for example, bestationary, rotate, and spin. Exemplary mobiles are illustrated anddescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,994,156 and 5,352,145.

While crib and mobile designs have evolved and custom crib and mobiledesigns are becoming more popular, it is increasingly difficult toproperly attach or mount mobiles to cribs having various shapes, sizesand designs for safety reasons as well as improving visual appearance.FIG. 3 illustrates a known plastic mounting apparatus 30 that isattached to a crib for suspending a mobile above the crib. The mountingapparatus includes a base 31 having an upper base section 32 and a lowerbase section 33. A short lip or flange 34 extends laterally from aportion of the base 31, e.g., from the top of the lower section in theillustrated example. A threaded plastic member 35 extends laterally fromthe lower section 33. The mounting mechanism 30 also includes a fastener36 that is used to secure the mechanism 30 to the crib.

Referring to FIG. 4, the mounting mechanism 30 is attached to the crib10 by inserting the plastic member 35 through an aperture 16 formedbetween slats 13. A top lip or flange 34 is placed over the top rail 11of the crib 10. The only adjustable component, the fastener 36, isscrewed onto the member 35 that extends through the aperture 16 in orderto attach the mount 30 to the crib 10. A mobile 20 (not shown in FIGS. 3and 4) is attached to the top of the mounting mechanism 30 (or attachedto a connector coupled to the mechanism 30) so that the mobile 20 issuspended above the infant in the crib 10. Ideally, the mount 30 isattached to the crib 10 in such a manner that the mobile 20 is suspendedabove the infant at the desired height and with the proper alignment sothat the infant can easily see the mobile 20 and all of its elements 21and design features.

The mechanism 30 shown in FIG. 3 is a “single adjustment” mechanismsince the only component of the mount 30 that is manipulated by the useris the bolt-like fastener 36. Known “single adjustment” mountingmechanisms 30 have been used effectively in the past to mount mobiles toinfant cribs. However, some known mounting mechanisms 30 do not fit andare not adaptable to cribs of different shapes, sizes and designs. Thismay result in mobiles being improperly aligned, thereby causing mobileelements to be arranged improperly and decreasing or eliminating thedesired entertainment effect to the infant. Further, this may alsopresent safety issues.

For example, referring to FIG. 4, a known mount 30 is attached to thecrib 10 in such a manner that the base 31 and a mobile attached theretoare misaligned and oriented at an angle. Such misalignments can becaused by a number of factors, including the width of the top rail 11,slats being positioned inwardly compared to the outer edge of the toprail 11, fixed dimensions of the crib 10 and mount 30, and the limitedadjustments of the mounting mechanism 30. One or more of these factorscan result in the mount 30 being secured to the crib 10 but withimproper alignment.

For example, as the width of the top rail 11 increases, the gap betweenan outer edge 17 of the top rail 11 and the crib slats 13 (positionedinwardly compared to the edge 17) also increases. Consequently, when themount 30 is attached to the crib 10, the top flange 34 must bepositioned over the top rail 11, and the lower section 33 of the mount30 is angled inwardly to allow the member 35 to be inserted through anaperture 16 and to allow the fastener 36 to be secured to the member 35.This causes the top 32 of the base 30 to be angled outwardly which, inturn, causes a mobile 20 that is suspended from the top 32 of the mount30 to also be arranged at an angle.

Irregular mounting angles result in a number of problems. Significantly,the mobile 20 may be tilted or angled away from the crib 10 so that themobile 20 is not accessible by or visible to the infant, therebyrendering the mobile unsatisfactory for its intended purpose. Further,the mobile 20 is not displayed with its intended spacing and displays.For example, free-floating mobile elements 21 may be clumped together,thereby reducing the visual appeal of the mobile and the entertainmenteffect for the infant. These problems are amplified with various cribdesigns, including those designs, such as certain custom designs, thatuse wider top crib rails 11 and/or slats 13 that are positioned inwardlyrelative to the outer edge of a top rail 11, resulting in larger angleswhen the mount 30 is installed. Conventional mounting elements alsoresult in less secure mounting to such cribs. Known mounting mechanisms,therefore, have a number of shortcomings, and a need, exists for anapparatus and assembly that can be adjusted by a user to adapt mountingmechanisms to cribs of various shapes, sizes and designs to maintainmobile alignment and improve safety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numbers representcorresponding parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a known infant crib;

FIG. 2 illustrates a known mobile that can be hung or suspended above acrib;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a known mounting apparatus that is attached toa crib to suspend a mobile above a crib;

FIG. 4 illustrates how a mobile attached to a crib using a knownmounting apparatus is misaligned;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a mounting apparatus according to oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates how a mobile attached to a crib using the apparatusshown in FIG. 5 is maintained in proper mobile alignment;

FIG. 7 further illustrates how a mobile attached to a crib using theapparatus shown in FIG. 5 and additional connection componentsmaintained in proper mobile alignment;

FIG. 8 illustrates a properly aligned mobile attached to a cribincluding a relatively narrow top rail width with proper alignment usinga mounting apparatus according to one embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a different view of the mounting mechanism shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 illustrates a properly aligned mobile attached to a cribincluding a top rail having a width greater than the top rail widthshown in FIG. 8 using a mounting apparatus according to one embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a different view of the mounting mechanism shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a further view of the mounting mechanism shown in FIGS. 10and 11;

FIG. 13 illustrates a base of a mounting mechanism according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 14 illustrates an intermediate element of a mounting mechanismaccording to one embodiment;

FIG. 15 further illustrates the intermediate element shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 illustrates a fastener of a mounting mechanism according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 17 illustrates a connector of a mounting mechanism according to oneembodiment; and

FIG. 18 illustrates a connection arm of a mounting mechanism from whicha mobile is suspended according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

The described preferred embodiments of the invention address theshortcomings of known mounting mechanisms by providing a mountingmechanism and mobile assembly that can be attached to a crib in such amanner that the mount and mobile attached thereto are maintained inproper alignment. Embodiments are adaptable to cribs of various designs,shapes and sizes. The described embodiments include a mount thatincludes base, a portion of which extends above the top of the crib, andanother portion of which extends through an aperture defined by slats.An intermediate adjustment element, such as a plate, disc or otherstructure, can be moved along the segment by a user, and a fastener isapplied to the end of the segment to secure the mount to the crib. Withthis configuration, the intermediate element can be used to adjust theangle of the mount, thereby allowing proper alignment of the mount andmobile attached thereto.

Referring to FIG. 5, according to one embodiment, a mounting mechanism500 for attachment to a crib includes a base 510, an intermediateadjustment element 520 and a fastener 530. In the illustratedembodiment, the base 510 includes an upper section 512 and a lowersection 514. A lip or flange 516 extends from the base 510 and over aportion or all of a top rail of the crib. In the illustrated embodiment,the lip or flange 516 is part of the upper section 512, but the lip orflange 516 can also extend from the lower section 514 with differentbase 510 designs. A segment 518 extends from the lower section 514 ofthe base 510, and the intermediate element 520 is moveable along thesegment 518 by a user to adjust alignment of the base 510 when the mount500 is attached to the crib. The fastener 530 is used to clamp the mount500 to the crib, with the intermediate element 520 positioned betweenthe bottom 514 of the base 510 and the fastener 530.

Referring to FIG. 6, the intermediate element 520 is adjustable so thatthe base 510 is properly aligned, e.g., at a perpendicular or 90degrees. Thus, a mobile that is attached directly or indirectly to thebase 510 is also property aligned. For example, referring to FIG. 7, amobile that is attached indirectly to the base 510, e.g., via anintermediate connector 710 and an arm 720, remains property aligned.More particularly, the bottom 712 of an intermediate connector 710 isconnected to the top of the base 510, e.g., via a slot, a snap-and-lockdevice, or other suitable design or mechanism, and the bottom 722 of thearm 720 is connected to the top 714 of the intermediate connector 710,e.g., via a slot, a snap-and-lock device or other suitable design ormechanism. A mobile can be suspended above the crib from a hook 726 atthe end of the arm 720.

FIGS. 8-12 illustrate how a mounting mechanism according to oneembodiment can be attached to cribs 70 of different shapes, sizes anddesigns. FIGS. 8 and 10, for example, illustrate that a mountingmechanism 500 can be applied to a crib 800 having a relatively narrowtop rail 811 (FIG. 8) that is completely covered by the flange 516, andthat a mounting mechanism 500 can also be applied to a crib 1000 havinga wider top rail 1011 (FIG. 10) so that the flange 516 only extendspartially across the top of the rail 1011.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a mounting mechanism 500 can be attached toa crib 800 having a relatively narrow top rail 811. In the illustratedembodiment, the base 510 is positioned inside the crib 800, and theflange 516 is placed over the top rail 811. The edge 517 of the flange516 extends beyond the outer edge of the top rail 811 since the rail 811is relatively narrow. The intermediate element 520 is adjustablyconnected to the segment 518 of the base 510 and positioned within thecrib 800. The intermediate element 520 can be moved along the segment518 in order to adjust the alignment of the base 510. The fastener 530is attached to the section of the segment 518 extending through anaperture 816 outside the crib 800.

Referring to FIGS. 10-12, a mounting mechanism 500 can also be attachedto a crib 1000 having a relatively wide top rail 1011. In theillustrated embodiment, the base 510 is positioned inside the crib 1000,and the flange 516 is placed over the top rail 1011. Given the width ofthe rail 1011, the end 517 of the flange 516 extends only partiallyacross the top of the rail. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, theintermediate element 520 is also adjustably connected to the segment 518of the base 510 and positioned within the crib 1000. The intermediateelement 520 can be moved along the segment 518 in order to adjust thealignment of the base 510. The fastener 530 is attached to the sectionof the segment 518 extending through an aperture 1016 outside the crib1000.

The base 510, the adjustment element 520 and the fastener 530 can beconfigured in various ways so that the adjustment element 520 can bemoved along the base segment 518 in order to change the alignment of thebase 510 while allowing the fastener 530 to secure the mechanism 500 toa crib. According to one embodiment, this is achieved using threadedsegment 518, intermediate element 520 and fastener 530 components.Alternative embodiments involve the use of other adjustment and/orattachment mechanisms besides threaded devices, such as snap-and-lockdevices and detents. Solely for purposes of explanation andillustration, not as a limitation, this specification describes andillustrates the use of threaded components. The threaded components andtheir interoperability are described with reference to FIGS. 13-18.

Referring to FIG. 13, as discussed above, a base 510 includes an uppersection 512 and a lower section 514. And the lip or flange 516 of theupper section 512 extends over the top rail of a crib, and the lowersection 514 extends into the crib interior. An outer surface of thesegment 518 extending from the lower section 512 is threaded 1300 andextends through an aperture in the crib between two slats. Personsskilled in the art will appreciate that other base 510 configurations beutilized, and that the base 510 illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 13 isprovided for purposes of explanation and illustration, not limitation.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, an intermediate element 520, such as anadjustment bolt, is threadedly and adjustably attached to the threadedsegment 518 of the base 510. In the illustrated embodiment, theintermediate element 520 includes an internally threaded section 1400and an externally threaded section 1410. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 14, theinternally threaded section 1400 is configured for mating relationshipwith the externally threaded section 1300 of the base segment 518. Theexternally threaded section 1410 is configured for mating relationshipwith the clamp or fastener 530. The intermediate element 520 includessurfaces 1420 that can be grasped by a user to turn or rotate theelement 520, which causes the element 520 to move laterally along theexternally threaded segment 518. Thus, a user can rotate the element 520to adjust the element 520 back and forth along the segment 518, therebychanging the alignment of the base 510 when the mount 500 is attached toa crib.

Referring to FIGS. 14-16, the mount 500 also includes a fastener 530,such as a clamp or bolt. In the illustrated embodiment, and as shown inFIG. 5, the fastener 530 is internally threaded 1600 for matingrelationship with the externally threaded section 1410 of theintermediate element 520 and is rotated to secure the mounting base tothe crib. Persons skilled in the art that the length, pitch and width ofthe threads 1300, 1400, 1410 and 1600 can vary. For example, a portionor all of the segment 518 may be threaded. Similarly, a portion or allof the external portion of the intermediate element 520 may be threaded.Further, a portion or all of the internal portion of the intermediateelement 520 may be threaded. Moreover, a portion of all of the internalportion of the fastener 530 can be threaded. Thus, “threaded” is definedto include different thread lengths, pitches, widths, as well asdifferent threaded portions (e.g., complete or partial circumferentialthread or thread segments). Further, “threaded” is defined to includestructures that can interoperate with threaded arrangements or sections.For example, the interior of the intermediate element 520 may include anotch or protrusion so that when the intermediate element 520 is rotatedby a user, the notch or protrusion follows the groove defined by theinternally threaded section 530 of the segment 518, thus allowing theintermediate element 520 to be rotated and move along the threaded 1300segment. Accordingly, the threaded configurations that are described andillustrated are provided for purposes of explanation and illustration,not limitation.

In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate element 520 has twothreaded sections—an internally threaded section 1400 (surrounding ordefining an aperture) and an externally threaded section 1410. In theillustrated embodiment, the diameter of the internally threaded section1400 is less than the diameter of the externally threaded section 1410,but embodiments are not so limited. In use, according to one embodiment,the base 510 and the intermediate element 520 can be placed within thecrib, and the fastener 1530 is located outside the crib. The fastener530 and the intermediate element 520 press against slats of the crib,and the bottom 511 of the base 510 is separated from the slats. Movingthe intermediate element 520 changes the alignment of the base 510. Theconfiguration shown in FIGS. 7-12 in which the fastener 530 ispositioned outside the crib may be desirable since the infant would notbe able to access the fastener 530 and inadvertently release the mount500. However, the base 510, intermediate element 520 and fastener 530can be arranged in other ways relative to the crib exterior and interiorin alternative embodiments.

According to one embodiment, the top of the base 510 is configured fordirect attachment of a mobile. Alternatively, further connectionelements can be used to suspend the mobile higher above the top of thecrib. For example, referring to FIGS. 7, 17 and 18, a middle connector710 can be attached to the top of the mounting base 510, and an arm 720,such as an arcuate arm, can be attached to the top 714 of the middleconnector 710. A mobile can then be suspended above the baby in the cribfrom the end of the arm, e.g., from a hook 726 as shown in FIG. 18.Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that other connectioncomponents can be attached to the base 510 in order to suspend a mobileat different heights. Further, the mobile or a mobile assembly mayinclude a built-in segment that is attached to the mount or to anotherconnection component that provides the desired height, e.g., one height.

Embodiments can be packaged solely as a mount 500 (e.g., base 510,intermediate element 520 and fastener 530), as a mount assembly (e.g.,base 510, intermediate element 520, fastener 530, and one or moreconnectors, such as intermediate connector 710 and arm 720), and as anassembly that includes the mount 500, one or more connectors (ifnecessary) and a mobile. Embodiments provide significant improvementsover known mounting mechanisms and allow the base and attached middleconnector and/or arm components to be properly aligned so that themobile is displayed with the mobile elements in their desired positionedand spacing to provide the intended visual effects. Further, embodimentssignificantly improve safety since mobile are attached to a crib in amore secure manner. Embodiments utilize various base—intermediateelement—fastener configurations to achieve these improvements.

Although references have been made in the foregoing description tovarious embodiments, persons of skilled in the art will recognize thatinsubstantial modifications, alterations, and substitutions can be madeto the described embodiments without departing from the scope ofembodiments. For example, mobiles of various shapes, sizes and designsand various other elements can be suspended or hung from cribs ofvarious shapes, sizes and designs using embodiments of the invention.Additionally, although certain embodiments are described with referenceto threaded surfaces to allow adjustment of the intermediate element,persons skilled in the art will appreciate that other mounting andadjustment mechanisms can be utilized, and that the particular threadeddevices are provided for purposes of explanation and illustration. Forexample, one or more threaded surfaces or arrangements can be replacedwith snap-and-lock devices, detents, and friction elements, e.g., inorder to achieve the desired position of the intermediate element andalign the base. Further, persons skilled in the art will appreciate thatcertain components can be positioned in different locations, e.g.,inside or outside of the crib, and can be made of various materials,including plastic.

1. An apparatus for hanging an aligned mobile above a crib, the cribhaving a top, a bottom and a plurality of slats, the slats defining aplurality of apertures and a crib interior and exterior, the apparatuscomprising: a base having an upper section and a lower section, thelower section having a segment extending through an aperture defined byslats and below the top of the crib; an intermediate element, whereinthe position of the intermediate element along the base can be adjustedto change the alignment of the base and the alignment of the mobile; anda fastener that is attachable to the end of the segment for securing themounting base and the intermediate element to the crib.
 2. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the segment is threaded.
 3. The apparatus of claim1, wherein an external surface of the segment is threaded.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein a flange extending from the upper sectionof the base extends partially over the top of the crib.
 5. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein a flange extending from the upper section of thebase extends beyond an outer edge of the top of the crib.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the intermediate element is threaded. 7.The apparatus of claim 6, wherein an internal surface of theintermediate element is threaded.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, whereinan external surface of the intermediate element is threaded.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein internal and external surfaces of theintermediate element are threaded.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe intermediate element is rotatable to move the intermediate elementalong the segment and adjust alignment of the base and alignment of themobile.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an internal surface of thefastener is threaded.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein an externalsurface of segment is threaded.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, whereininternal and external surfaces of the intermediate element are threaded,wherein an internally threaded surface of the intermediate elementthreadedly engages the threaded external surface of the segment, and thethreaded external surface of the intermediate element threadedly engagesthe threaded internal surface of the fastener.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the lower section of the base and the fastener arearranged so that slats of the crib are located between the fastener andthe lower section of the base from which the segment extends.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the lower section of the base and thefastener are located on opposite sides of slats of the crib.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the lower section of the base is inside ofthe crib.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fastener is outsideof the crib.
 18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lower section ofthe base and the intermediate element are located on the same siderelative to slats of the crib.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, whereinthe lower section of the base and the intermediate element are bothinside of the crib.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the fasteneris outside of the crib.
 21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theintermediate element is located between the lower section of the basefrom which the segment extends and slats of the crib.
 22. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the intermediate element is adjacent to slats of thecrib.
 23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the intermediate elementcontacts at least two slats of the crib.
 24. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the lower section of the base is separated from slats of thecrib.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the degree of separationdepends on the position of the intermediate element along the segment.26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an external surface of the segmentis threaded, internal and external surfaces of the intermediate elementare threaded, and an internal surface of the fastener is threaded, theintermediate element is threaded and adjustably secured to the segment,the fastener is threaded secured to the segment, and the intermediateelement is rotatable so that the intermediate element moves along thesegment to adjust alignment of the base.
 27. An apparatus for hanging analigned mobile above a crib, the crib having a top, a bottom and aplurality of slats, the slats defining a plurality of apertures and aninterior and a crib interior and exterior, the apparatus comprising: abase having an upper section and a lower section, the upper sectionhaving a flange that extends over the top of the crib, the lower sectionhaving an externally threaded segment extending through an aperturedefined by slats and below the top of the crib; an intermediate elementhaving an internally threaded section and an externally threadedsection, wherein the intermediate element is rotatable so that theintermediate element moves along the externally threaded segment andadjusts the alignment of the base and alignment of the mobile; and aninternally threaded fastener, wherein the internally threaded fasteneris threadedly secured to the externally threaded section of theintermediate element to secure the base and the intermediate element tothe crib.
 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the flange extends overat least a portion of the top of the crib.
 29. The apparatus of claim27, wherein the lower section of the base and the internally threadedfastener are arranged so that slats of the crib are located between theinternally threaded fastener and the lower section from which theexternally threaded segment extends.
 30. The apparatus of claim 27,wherein the lower section of the base and the internally threadedfastener are located on opposite sides of slats of the crib.
 31. Theapparatus of claim 27, wherein the lower section of the base is insideof the crib.
 32. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the internallythreaded fastener is outside of the crib.
 33. The apparatus of claim 27,wherein the lower section of the base and the internally threadedintermediate element are located on the same side relative to the slatsof the crib.
 34. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the lower section ofthe base and the internally threaded intermediate element are bothinside of the crib.
 35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein theinternally threaded fastener is outside of the crib.
 36. The apparatusof claim 27, wherein the internally threaded intermediate element isbetween the slats of the crib and the lower section of the base fromwhich the externally threaded segment extends.
 37. The apparatus ofclaim 27, wherein the lower section of the base is separated from slatsof the crib.
 38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the degree ofseparation depends on the position of the internally threadedintermediate element along the externally threaded segment extendingfrom the lower section.
 39. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein adiameter of the externally threaded segment of the base is less than adiameter of the externally threaded segment of the intermediate element.40. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein an inner aperture defined by theinternally threaded section of the intermediate element is less than adiameter of the aperture defined by the internally threaded segment ofthe fastener.
 41. An apparatus for hanging a mobile above a crib, thecrib having a top, a bottom and a plurality of slats, the slats defininga plurality of apertures and crib interior and exterior, the apparatuscomprising: a base having a single threaded segment that extends throughan aperture defined by slats of the crib; a rotatable intermediateelement having two threaded segments, wherein the intermediate elementis moveable along the single threaded segment of the base when rotatedto adjust alignment of the single threaded base and alignment of themobile; and a fastener having a single threaded segment, wherein thefastener is threadedly attachable to one of the threaded segments of therotatable intermediate element for securing the base and theintermediate element to the crib.
 42. The apparatus of claim 41, whereinthe segment of the mounting base is externally threaded, theintermediate element is both internally threaded and externallythreaded, and the fastener is internally threaded.
 43. The apparatus ofclaim 42, wherein a diameter of the externally threaded segment of thebase is less than a diameter of the externally threaded segment of theintermediate element.
 44. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein an inneraperture defined by the internally threaded section of the intermediateelement is less than a diameter of the aperture defined by theinternally threaded fastener.
 45. An assembly for attachment to a crib,the crib having a top, a bottom and a plurality of slats, the slatsdefining a plurality of apertures and crib interior and exterior, theassembly comprising: a mobile; a base having an upper section and alower section, the upper section having a flange that extends over thetop of the crib, the lower section having an externally threaded segmentextending through an aperture defined by slats and below the top of thecrib; a rotatable intermediate element having an internally threadedsection and an externally threaded section, wherein the intermediateelement is rotatable so that the intermediate element moves along theexternally threaded segment to adjust alignment of the base andalignment of the mobile attached directly or indirectly to the base; andan internally threaded fastener that is threadedly attachable to theexternally threaded section of the intermediate element to secure thebase and the intermediate element to the crib.
 46. An assembly for acrib, the crib having a top, a bottom and a plurality of slats, theslats defining a plurality of apertures and crib interior and exterior,the assembly comprising: a mobile; a base having a single threadedsegment that extends through an aperture defined by slats of the crib; arotatable intermediate element having two threaded segments, wherein theintermediate element is moveable along the single threaded segment whenrotated to adjust alignment of the base and alignment of the mobileattached directly or indirectly to the base; and a fastener having asingle threaded segment, wherein the fastener is threadedly attachableto one of the threaded segments of the rotatable intermediate element tosecure the base and the intermediate element to the crib.
 47. Theassembly of claim 46, wherein the segment of the base is externallythreaded, the intermediate element is both internally threaded andexternally threaded, and the fastener is internally threaded.
 48. Theassembly of claim 47, wherein a diameter of the externally threadedsegment is less than a diameter of the externally threaded segment ofthe intermediate element.
 49. The assembly of claim 47, wherein adiameter of an inner aperture defined by the internally threaded sectionof the intermediate element is less than a diameter of the aperturedefined by the internally threaded fastener.